Williamsburg Retirement Residence: a fast-growing “Neighbourhood” in Burlington, ON

Toronto, Canada, 2015-10-08 -

The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) has honoured Toronto’s Newcombe Design Associates with an Award of Merit for the 12,500 m2, stand-alone, owner-operated, retirement residence, The Williamsburg Uptown, completed in May 2014 in Burlington, Ontario.

By developing 94 independent living suites and 23 assisted living suites, the owners sought to provide a much-needed option for an aging population, in a facility that would go beyond the typical household model to establish a new standard of excellence in the market. Newcombe Design Associates’ goal was to ensure that every aspect of the interiors would elevate the residents’ quality of life and contribute to a strong sense of community.

Judy Newcombe, Principal, says that, in addition to being recognized by ARIDO, two key operational statistics demonstrate the success of her firm’s approach:

1) Where the standard expectation is fill up within 2 years, The Williamsburg was 70% full after only 9 months, and,

2) There are higher than expected numbers of couples and younger move-ins, both of which have positive bottom line impact in both the short and long term.

“Our attention to detail was vitally important in bringing the owners’ vision to life, creating the hospitality, warmth, and upscale comfort that they hoped to provide their residents,” said Newcombe, “For example, one of the key objectives was to foster residents’ independence and sense of control over their own lives. The owner knew that offering a variety of venues where residents can dine at their leisure would contribute to such feelings. We knew that by creating a variety of dining styles with the range of seating options not typically used in retirement residences, but in high-end resorts or hotels, we could enhance them further.”

Another Newcombe goal was to overcome what is often a stumbling block for seniors who have left their old neighbourhood for an unfamiliar way of living: a tendency towards isolation. Their planning and design established an in-building neighbourhood, with easy to maneuver, simple to understand navigation encouraging and facilitating social interaction. In fact, Williamsburg has proven to be a genuine and fast-growing community, with the residents actively enjoying every amenity.

About Newcombe Design Associates

One of Canada’s leaders in healthcare design, for nearly 25 years Newcombe Design Associates has provided a full range of interior design for specialized environments. The firm is known for expertise in meeting the complex needs of people with perceptual, cognitive and mobility challenges, as well as in-depth knowledge of the wide range of products that meet the specialized needs of healthcare facilities.

Whether developing or renovating long term or acute care hospital, mental health centres, clinical practices and laboratories, retirement homes or seniors housing, Newcombe’s clients benefit from the firm’s ability to work with multiple stakeholders to create highly functional and supportive environments.

The soaring lobby, concierge desk, lighting, feature stair and subdued color palette instantly convey the hotel-like character of this retirement residence. While meeting the clients’ request for a checkerboard tile floor pattern, we used a medium grey and cream stone tile in a matte finish to soften the contrast and glare

Photo credit:
David Whittaker

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Banquettes with a frosted glass screen divide Christopher's, the fine dining restaurant, into intimate rooms. The wine display shields the dining room from the entrance and provides a backdrop for the maitre’d stand

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David Whittaker

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Among the wide range of seating options we developed in the various dining areas, the most unusual, the banquettes,seen here in the lobby bar, are also the most popular with the residents. The seating is firm, upright, not too deep and easy to enter and exit with the help of the end panel for additional support. Tables are moveable.

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David Whittaker

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In the Terrace Grille lounge, seating flanks the elevated fireplace, which can be seen from the adjacent dining area. Hardwood flooring defines circulation, the lounge and dining area.

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David Whittaker

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Residents enjoy a choice of banquette or loose seating near the Terrace Grille open kitchen. Darker wood paneling and traditional decorative fixtures establish a pub-like character, differentiating this dining area from Christopher’s, the fine dining room.

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David Whittaker

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The private dining room is steadily booked for gatherings of family and friends. Colorful artwork throughout the building adds energy and visual interest.

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David Whittaker

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Eclectic, elegant and warm, the library has become the residents’ much-used living room. Ottomans and swivel chairs allow residents to relax with a good book and put their feet up. Radial ceiling detail adds visual interest and definition to the seating area.

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David Whittaker

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The Country Kitchen offers residents the opportunity to create friendships as well as share recipes and tasty treats. Cooking demonstrations also take place here. Higher light levels make sure the space is both inviting and functional.

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David Whittaker

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The Media Room's firm, upright lounge seating with drink holders makes for easy, comfortable film watching. Durable upholstery fabrics are used throughout the common areas for durability and ease of maintenance.